The Foundation of Light (FoL), Sunderland AFC’s sports charity, is aiming to get more children involved in sport and exercise through its Beacon of Light facility.

In September, the FoL officially opened the Beacon of Light to the public.

The Beacon is a multi-million-pound facility that boasts elite sports spaces and classrooms for the local community, and hosts events and after-school clubs to help children engage in sport.

The Foundation of Light says: “The Beacon of Light houses a 4G Football Barn capable of hosting 7-a-side and 5-a-side games, six outdoor 3G 5-a-side pitches, two multi-use games areas and a versatile Indoor Arena which can also host national sporting competitions including Netball, Futsal, Basketball, Table Tennis and Badminton.

“This easily accessible venue is a community hub, a motivating place that provides opportunities for young people and their families and their first of its kind in the UK.”

The Foundation also boasts “a broad portfolio of programmes led by Early Years specialists designed specifically for youngsters from 18 months to five years old”, as well as hosting events such as a pre-match kick-about for children on Sunderland AFC match days.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that children between the ages of eight and 15 are involved in sport and physical activity for 40 minutes per day on average.

The NHS advises that children should be aiming for 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity per day.

Moderate activity includes riding a scooter or walking to school, and vigorous activity includes most sports such as running or playing tennis.